Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S S S          
      T T T T T T      
      P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Sunflower in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 45 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

26 Jan 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Taryn, in sub-tropical areas they should last well into autumn. You can plant now (January) to ensure they will grow through autumn, and start planting again in early spring.
25 Jan 10, TD1 (Australia - temperate climate)
My sunflowers grew 6-7 foot, now im not sure what to do with the heads to retrieve the seeds?
20 Jan 10, funkbunnt (Australia - temperate climate)
Ian Robertson I have grown a 3m tall sunflower this yeat with 30 flower heads! Im niot sure what the trick was - it was planted in November as a seeds in a spot near the potato bed which had been well manured with sheep poo!
16 Jan 10, Celina (Australia - temperate climate)
We planted sunflowers in late January last year and they still came up, our first crop has just finished and we are about to plant some more, one head will give you about 500 seeds so dont buy any more 3kg bags for the birds if you have planted in 10 plants, to stop the bird put a paper bag over the top of the head to collect the seed
11 Dec 09, Taryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
will they survive autum and spring i know they won't survive winter and they will survive summer but what about autum and springe!
11 Dec 09, Taryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
peoplez don't plant the sunflower withs no shell plant the black ones (NO white ones!!!)
17 Sep 09, helen (Australia - temperate climate)
I've heard of people putting an old stocking (nylon type) over sunflower seed heads to deter birds etc from eating the seeds (while they dry on the plant). Not sure if it works. Worth a try I spose.
09 Sep 09, Beth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
This is website give me lots of ideas to help me with planting sunflowers seeds So thanks a lot!
26 Aug 09, ian robertson (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello all, i am a high school teacher at urrbrae ag hs down in adelaide. We have a class project to grow sunflowers. I have been allocated a good size plot. I want to make sure i get the correct variety..i want to grow the sunflowers which reach up to 5-6 feet and i would like advice on growing them. we are selling them to raise money for kids cancer and we are making a short film to go with it.
12 Sep 17, madelene (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
HI, we are located in central Victoria and I want to sow a large strip of sunflowers in our paddock ready for the neighbours garden wedding on 17th Feb 2018. We are not out of the woods with Frost yet I don't think, but spring is definitely in the air. We haven't hit full spring yet but by 2 weeks I am assuming it will be. When should I plant the seeds? Should I wait another month or so? Havent prepared the ground yet at all.
Showing 141 - 150 of 175 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Sunflower

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.